Action Math Baseball

Action Math Baseball is an integrated math program for students in grades 4-8. Students learn mathematics skills through baseball statistics in a way that is fun and engaging, and use statistics from current Pirates Players, as well as player cards they create, to compete against one another in simulated baseball games. The program promotes higher order science, technology, engineering and math skills (STEM).

Buses for Baseball

The Buses for Baseball program gives underprivileged kids throughout the United States and Canada the chance to attend Major League baseball games and meet the players. The Players Trust (MLBPA) partners with local transit authorities and Major League teams, as well as charitable organizations in all Major League cities, to share the thrill of a big league game with kids who need more chances to smile.

At each ballpark, kids are welcomed by players who spend time signing autographs, giving away souvenirs and posing for photographs. Complimentary food and soft drinks during the game - and often the chance to see their own faces on the scoreboard - provide lasting memories before the bus heads home.

Clemente Day

The Pirates partnered with the Pittsburgh Promise for a visit to Pittsburgh King PreK-8 on Wednesday, September 7, 2016 to celebrate Roberto Clemente Day, in honor of Roberto Clemente's legacy. Before the event, the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, Pirates players, coaches, and wives stuffed backpacks with food and school supplies for the students of Pittsburgh King. Pirates players and coaches joined the Clemente family during a school-wide assembly while Pirates wives read books with PreK students.

The celebration of "The Great One" continued during a special pre-game ceremony at PNC Park, when the Pirates 2016 Roberto Clemente Award was presented to pitcher Jared Hughes in recognition of his outstanding skills on the baseball field and his devoted work in the community.

The Pirates also teamed up with MLB to support a baseball clinic in Clemente's honor in Puerto Rico.

Community Commitment Program

The Pirates Community Commitment Program (PCCP) is an organization-wide community service program for Pirates Minor League Players that promotes community service and awareness, and provides benefit to the community, the individual player and the Pirates organization. Near the conclusion of each team's regular season, each of the Pirates minor league teams selects one player from their organization to receive the "Pirates Community Commitment Award." Honorees travelled to Pittsburgh, where they were recognized in a special pregame, on-field ceremony held on Clemente Day.

Domestic Violence Awareness Initiative

The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence asked Pirates players to join them in saying "no more" to gender violence in Western Pennsylvania. Nine players loaned their time and their support to the campaign via public service announcements and billboard messages.

In addition, on October 20, 2016, the Pirate front office staff visited the YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh alongside UPS, the Women's Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh, and the Center for Victims to help stuff kits for domestic violence shelters. Kits included items such as soap, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, toothbrushes, and dental floss that Pirate wives collected. Local domestic violence organizations were on hand with resources tables for guests to learn about programs, services, and resources available in the region. The event was part of the YWCA's Week Without Violence, which raises awareness about the devastating effects of domestic violence.

In October, the Pittsburgh Pirates received a 2016 Standing Firm Employer Award, for recognition of superior integration of business practices addressing partner violence.

Make-A-Wish Foundation Scholarship

In 2016, Pirates Charities once again supported the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Pennsylvania and West Virginia with a donation to the annual "Kurt R. Weiss Scholarship for Wish Children" program, which was created in 1998 to help motivate wish children to pursue their post-high school educational ambitions.

In addition to financial support, Pirates Charities also hosted a group of recipients and their families and friends to a night at the ballpark on Friday, June 3, 2016. Before the game, the group of 180 gathered in the Pirates Press Conference Room to recognize the accomplishments of the 37 scholarship recipients in attendances. Scholarship recipients who attended the event proceeded to the field before the game where they were recognized for their accomplishments by Team President Frank Coonelly. Make-A-Wish President/CEO Judi Stone also joined the group on the field.

Miracle League Fantasy Camps

The Pirates hosted five Miracle League Fantasy Camps in 2016 for children and adults with special needs. Pirates players, coaches, alumni and front office executives helped conduct the camps. The Pirate Parrot and Pirates Pierogies also were in attendance at several of the fantasy camps.

The purpose of the Miracle League Fantasy Camps is to provide children and adults with special needs the opportunity to learn and play the game of baseball while providing a similar experience to Major League Baseball camps and clinics. This season, 205 children and adults attended the Miracle League Fantasy Camps, which were held in Cranberry, the South Hills, and Murrysville in PA, and in Morgantown, WV. A fantasy camp was also held at the Miracle League of Manasota, which serves the residents of Manatee and Sarasota Counties near the Pirates Spring Training home of Bradenton, FL.

At these camps, both children and adults took part in five activity stations, led by Pirates celebrities, that taught hitting, throwing and catching skills. Each child and adult also received his or her own personalized Pirates jersey and were treated to a delicious lunch.

The events were sponsored by Pirates Charities and Baseball Fantasy Camp for Kids. Baseball Fantasy Camp for Kids is an organization, founded by Denver resident Jeremy Flug, which provides funding for Miracle League Fantasy Camps for kids throughout the United States. This is the seventh year that Pirates Charities has worked with Mr. Flug, who attended the Fantasy Camp at the Miracle League of Manasota. Pirates Charities would like to thank Jeremy Flug, Joe Knetzer and the whole Baseball Fantasy Camp for Kids organization for their tremendous dedication to improving the lives of children and adults with special needs.

For more information on the Baseball Fantasy Camp for Kids organization, please visit www.baseballfantasycampforkids.com.

Pirates Charities CARE-a-van

The 2015 Pirates Charities CARE-a-van, presented by Highmark, took place from December 9-11, participating in private community events leading up to the 26th PirateFest, presented by Chick-fil-A.

The CARE-a-van made a total of 24 stops impacting 13 cities in the greater Pittsburgh area, including stops in Altoona, PA -- home of the Pirates Double-A affiliate the Altoona Curve -- and Morgantown, WV -- home of the Pirates Single-A affiliate the West Virginia Black Bears.

Pitch for Hope Women's Baseball Clinic

Benefiting Glimmer of Hope, the "Pitch for Hope" Women's Baseball Clinic has grown to over 300 participants in its 5th year. On Sunday, May 22, 2016, women were invited to the ballpark to participate in a baseball clinic with Pirates coaches, followed by a raffle, brunch, and the afternoon ballgame.

All proceeds helped support the first Integrated Breast Oncology Pilot program at Allegheny Health Network.

65 Roses Club

The Pirates, along with broadcasters Greg Brown and Steve Blass, hosted two 65 Roses Club nights at PNC Park during the 2016 baseball season. The events benefitted the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and took place before each game.

The 65 Roses Club is a group of Pirates fans who have joined together to raise funds to fight cystic fibrosis. By making a pledge to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for every home run the Pirates hit, these fans have the opportunity to meet Pirates players at private pre-game receptions. After the receptions, everyone can enjoyed the game to cheer on the Bucs.

The club gets its name from the way a child often learns to say "cystic fibrosis," which sounds like "sixty-five roses." It is a national sports program supported by teams in all areas of athletics, including baseball, football, basketball, hockey and soccer to help raise funds to fight cystic fibrosis.

For complete information about the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the 65 Roses Club, contact Cheyenne Warriner at (412) 321-4422 or cwarriner@cff.org.

UMPS CARE Charities

The Pittsburgh Pirates partner with Major League Baseball umpires to offer memorable baseball game experiences for children awaiting adoption and at-risk youth in mentoring programs.

Children receive a VIP experience including great seats to see the Pirates at PNC Park, a goody bag of 'all things baseball', and the unique opportunity to step onto the field for a souvenir baseball and photo.

UMPS CARE Charities, a 501c3 non-profit organization founded by Major League Baseball umpires, created the BLUE Crew Tickets program to share the gift of baseball with children and strengthen relationships between children and the adults who aim to make a difference in their lives.

More than 4,000 guests have participated in BLUE Crew Tickets since 2006. Learn more at www.UmpsCare.com.

Winter Coaches Clinics

The Pittsburgh Pirates Winter Coaches Clinics are facilitated by former Pittsburgh Pirates players to educate local youth baseball and softball coaches on techniques and strategies to be effective on and off the field. Three clinics were featured this season, with Pirates alumnus and current broadcaster John Wehner hosting the baserunning clinic, Pirates alumnus Grant Jackson directing the throwing clinic and Pirates alumnus Chris Peters instructing the outfielding clinic. Over 100 youth baseball and softball coaches were in attendance at these clinics, learning the importance of these key components.

Testimonials:

"Your hospitality and generosity are outstanding and deeply appreciated. The topics are on point and presenters are flexible so as to provide instructions suitable for all ages. I wish the clinics were longer than an hour each. Thank you."

"The overall information and coordination of the program was extremely well communicated and managed. Thank You."

"This was my first year for the clinic; I enjoyed the clinic, and thought it was pretty awesome especially the ticket incentive (otherwise, some city youth wouldn't have an opportunity to attend a game). Thanks again, looking forward to it again."

"I really enjoyed each talk. I am incorporating what I've learned and am hoping to come back for more next season."

"Overall, I was very pleased with the clinics. I learned a lot to show my team."